Recliner

ABSTRACT

A recliner includes a backrest, a seat, a leg and a reclining apparatus. The reclining apparatus includes a base, two ears and a rear support. The base is installed on the leg. The ears are pivotally installed on the base on one hand and pivotally connected to the seat on the other hand. The rear support includes a lower section pivotally installed on the base and formed with an ear pivotally connected to the seat and an upper section for supporting the backrest. Thus, the seat is moved backwards and downwards when the backrest is pivoted backwards.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a recliner.

2. Related Prior Art

Referring to FIG. 10, a conventional recliner includes a base 70 and a rear support 80. The base 70 includes two lateral plates 71 each formed with a track 72 on an upper edge. The rear support 80 is pivotally installed on the lateral plates 71 of the base 70 and can be reclined relative to the base 70. The rear support 80 includes a first end and a second end. A backrest 62 is installed at the second end of the rear support 80. The rear support 80 includes two armrest brackets 85 for pivotally supporting a seat plate 50. A seat 63 is installed on the seat plate 50. Two casters 51 are attached to a lower surface of the seat pate 50 so that the casters 51 can roll on the tracks 72. As the backrest 62 is reclined backwards, the rear support 80 is also moved backwards so that the seat 63 is horizontally moved backwards.

In this conventional recliner, the casters 51 are retained in contact with the tracks 72 only because of the weight of the seat 63. There is nothing else for restraining the casters 51 to the tracks 72. However, if a user sits improperly in the recliner or the recliner is improperly hit by an external force, the casters 51 can easily be disengaged from the tracks 72 so that the recliner is out of order.

Moreover, the recliner is complicate in structure for including a tensioning device 30 and a positioning device 40. The making and assembly of the parts cannot effectively be simplified so that the cost cannot be reduced.

The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, a recliner includes a backrest, a seat, a leg and a reclining apparatus. The reclining apparatus includes a base, two ears and a rear support. The base is installed on the leg. The ears are pivotally installed on the base on one hand and pivotally connected to the seat on the other hand. The rear support includes a lower section pivotally installed on the base and formed with an ear pivotally connected to the seat and an upper section for supporting the backrest. Thus, the seat is moved backwards and downwards when the backrest is pivoted backwards.

The primary advantage of the recliner of the present invention is that the installation of the seat is firm yet the movement of the seat is smooth.

Other advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description referring to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described through detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a recliner including a reclining apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the reclining apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the reclining apparatus shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the reclining apparatus shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the reclining apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the reclining apparatus in another position than shown in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 7 through 9 are cross-sectional views of the reclining apparatus in other positions than shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a conventional reclining apparatus for a recliner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a recliner using a reclining apparatus according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The recliner includes a leg 61 for supporting the reclining apparatus, a seat 63 and a backrest 62 both installed on the reclining apparatus. The leg 61 includes a pneumatic cylinder 611. A front connector 631 and a rear connector 632 are attached to a lower surface of the seat 63. The front connector 631 includes two ears. The rear connector 632 includes two ears.

The reclining apparatus includes a base 10, a rear support 20, a positioning device 30 for positioning the rear support 20, an elevation-adjusting device 40 for actuating the pneumatic cylinder 611 and a tensioning device 50 arranged between the base 10 and the rear support 20.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, the base 10 includes two lateral walls each including an arched lower edge, an aperture 16 defined therein and an arched slot 17 defined therein. A first supporting plate 12 and a second supporting plate 13 are formed between the lateral walls so that the first and second supporting plates and the lateral walls extend parallel to one another. A third supporting plates 14 extends in an inclined plane between the first and second supporting plates. A fourth supporting plate 15 extends horizontally between the lateral walls. An ear 11 is located near a related one of the lateral walls, rotationally.

The rear support 20 includes two identical bent lateral members each including a lower section 22 and an upper section 23. The upper sections 23 of the lateral members are connected to each other by a crossbar. The lower sections 22 of the lateral members are connected to each other by a positioning plate 25 that defines a series of apertures 26. Each of the lateral members includes an aperture defined in the lower section 22, an ear 21 extending from the lower section 22 and an ear 24 extending from the lower section 22.

A pivotal connector 211 is provided on each of the ears 21. Each of the pivotal connectors 211 is inserted in a related one of the apertures 16 so that the ears 21 of the rear support 20 is connected to the lateral walls of the base 10. A crossbar 221 is inserted in the apertures defined in the lower sections 22 and the arched slots 17 so that the crossbar 221 is movable in the arched slots 17 when the rear support 20 is pivoted on the frame 10.

The ears 24 are connected to the ears of the rear connector 632. The ears 11 are connected to the ears of the front connector 631. Thus, the seat 63 is firmly connected to the frame 10 on one hand and firmly connected to the rear support 20 on the other hand yet the seat 63 is smoothly be moved backwards and slightly downwards when the backrest 62 is reclined backwards.

The positioning device 30 includes a shaft 31 rotationally installed on the base 10 so that an external end is exposed form the base 10 while an internal end is located in the base 10. A handle 311 is connected to the external end of the shaft 31. A crank 312 is connected to the internal end of the shaft 31. A restraint 35 is installed on the fourth supporting plate 15. A rod 33 includes a first end connected to the crank 312 and a second end 331 movably inserted in an aperture defined in the restraint 35. A latch 32 is movably installed on the fourth supporting plate 15 so that an external end is exposed from the base 10 while an internal end is located in the base 10. The external end of the latch 32 can be inserted in one of the apertures 26 defined in the positioning plate 25 for keeping the rear support 20 in one of several angular positions. A lever 34 is pivotally installed on the fourth supporting plate 15 by a screw 341. The lever 34 includes a first end connected to the second end 331 of the rod 33 and a second end connected to the internal end of the latch 32.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the rod 33 includes a first groove 332 and a second groove 333 both defined in the second end 331. A detent and a spring are located in the restraint 35. The detent is in the form of a ball. The detent is inserted in the first groove 332 when the rod 33 is located in a first position while the external end of the latch 32 is inserted in one of the apertures 25. The detent is inserted in the second groove 333 when the rod 33 is located in a second position while the external end of the latch 32 is moved from the apertures 25.

Preferably, one of the ears 11 is rotationally installed on the shaft 31.

The elevation-adjusting device 40 includes a hollow shaft 41 and a lever 42. The hollow shaft 41 is rotationally installed on the base 10 so that an external end is exposed from the base 10 while an internal end is located in the base 10. A handle 411 is connected to the external end of the hollow shaft 41. The lever 42 includes a first end connected to the internal end of the hollow shaft 41 and a second end in contact with a valve of the pneumatic cylinder 611. The valve of the pneumatic cylinder 611 is actuated when the handle 411 is operated. Thus, the elevation of the seat 63 can be changed.

The tensioning device 50 includes a shaft 51, a threaded bolt 52, a nut 53, an elastic element 54 and a pusher 55. The shaft 51 is inserted through the hollow shaft 41. The shaft 51 includes an external end exposed from the external end of the hollow shaft 41 and an internal end exposed from the internal end of the hollow shaft 41. A handle 511 is connected to the external end of the shaft 51.

The threaded bolt 52 is rotationally installed on the third supporting plate 14. At an end of the threaded bolt 52 is installed a bevel gear engaged with a bevel gear installed on the shaft 51. Thus, the rotation of the threaded bolt 52 is caused by the rotation of the shaft 51.

The nut 53 is engaged with the threaded bolt 52. Thus, the rectilinear movement of the nut 53 is caused by the rotation of the threaded bolt 52.

The elastic element 54 is in the form of a helical spring with an end connected to the nut 53 and another end connected to the pusher 55 in contact with the crossbar 221. Thus, a force exerted on the backrest 62 can be pivoted can be adjusted by the tensioning device 50.

Referring to FIG. 6, the external end of the latch 32 is moved from the apertures 26 defined in the positioning plate 25 when the detent of the restraint 35 is inserted in the second groove 333 of the rod 33. Thus, the backrest 62 can be pivoted backwards from a position as shown in FIG. 7 to another position as shown in FIG. 8. When the backrest 62 is pivoted backwards, the seat 63 is moved backwards and slightly downwards. The connection of the ears of the rear connector 632 to the ears 24 and the connection of the ears of the front connector 631 to the ears 11 guarantee the smooth movement of the seat 63 on the base 10.

Referring to FIG. 9, the external end of the latch 32 is inserted in one of the apertures 26 defined in the positioning plate 25. Thus, the backrest 62 is positioned.

The present invention has been described via the description of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims. 

1. A recliner comprising a backrest, a seat, a leg and a reclining apparatus comprising: a base installed on the leg; two ears pivotally installed on the base on one hand and pivotally connected to the seat on the other hand; and a rear support comprising a lower section pivotally installed on the base and formed with an ear pivotally connected to the seat and an upper section for supporting the backrest so that the seat is moved backwards and downwards when the backrest is pivoted backwards.
 2. The recliner according to claim 1 wherein the base comprises an aperture defined therein, wherein the rear support comprises a pivotal connector inserted in the aperture defined in the base.
 3. The recliner according to claim 2 wherein the rear support comprises a lower section in contact with the tensioning device and an upper section for supporting the backrest.
 4. The recliner according to claim 1 comprising a tensioning device installed between the base and the rear support.
 5. The recliner according to claim 4 wherein the tensioning device comprises an elastic element compressed between the base and the lower section of the rear support.
 6. The recliner according to claim 5 wherein the base comprises a supporting plate formed thereon, wherein the tensioning device comprises a threaded bolt rotationally installed on the supporting plate of the base and a nut engaged with the threaded bolt on one hand and connected to the elastic element on the other hand so that the load in the elastic element is adjusted as the nut is moved when the threaded bolt is rotated.
 7. The recliner according to claim 6 wherein the tensioning device comprises a shaft installed on the base one hand and engaged with the threaded bolt on the other hand so that the threaded bolt is rotated as the shaft is rotated.
 8. The recliner according to claim 7 wherein the tensioning device comprises a handle connected to the shaft.
 9. The recliner according to claim 6 wherein the tensioning device comprises a pusher connected to the elastic element on one hand and located against the lower section of the rear support on the other hand.
 10. The recliner according to claim 4 wherein the base comprises an arched slot defined therein, wherein the rear support comprises a crossbar installed on the lower section, inserted in the arched slot defined in the base and located against the tensioning device.
 11. The recliner according to claim 10 wherein the tensioning device comprises an elastic element compressed between the base and the crossbar.
 12. The recliner according to claim 11 wherein the base comprises a supporting plate formed thereon, wherein the tensioning device comprises a threaded bolt rotationally installed on the supporting plate of the base and a nut engaged with the threaded bolt on one hand and connected to the elastic element on the other hand so that the load in the elastic element is adjusted as the nut is moved when the threaded bolt is rotated.
 13. The recliner according to claim 12 wherein the tensioning device comprises a shaft installed on the base one hand and engaged with the threaded bolt on the other hand so that the threaded bolt is rotated as the shaft is rotated.
 14. The recliner according to claim 13 wherein the tensioning device comprises a handle connected to the shaft.
 15. The recliner according to claim 10 wherein the tensioning device comprises a pusher connected to the elastic element on one hand and located against the crossbar.
 16. The recliner according to claim 1 comprising a positioning device for positioning the rear support on the base.
 17. The recliner according to claim 16 wherein the rear support comprises a positioning plate defining a series of apertures, wherein the positioning device comprises a latch movably installed on the base between a locking position inserted in one of the apertures defined in the positioning plate and a releasing position moved from the apertures defined in the positioning plate.
 18. The recliner according to claim 17 wherein the positioning device comprises a rod movably installed on the base and a lever pivotally installed on the base, connected to the rod on one hand and connected to the latch on the other hand.
 19. The recliner according to claim 18 wherein the positioning device comprises a shaft connected to rod so that the rod is moved when the shaft is rotated.
 20. The recliner according to claim 18 wherein the positioning device comprises a handle connected to the shaft. 